Motley injury causes concern along line

By Christopher WalshSports Writer

Thursday

Aug 30, 2007 at 12:01 AM

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban will ignore the temptation to move a player to defensive tackle to help fill out the depth chart, but knows he might have to do so later this season.“We’re going to try and develop younger guys on the team and see who can do it,” Saban said Wednesday afternoon. “If that doesn’t work, we’ll try other options in the future.”Concern at the position closed in on critical after redshirt freshman Brian Motley sustained a fractured ankle during a run drill Tuesday. He underwent surgery Wednesday to have a screw inserted and is expected to be out six weeks.As expected, sophomore Lorenzo Washington will make his first career start when Alabama plays Western Carolina on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.“We took it tough. It was a tough loss for us,” senior linebacker/defensive end Keith Saunders said. “Motley was doing real well for us, but he’ll be a great player for us in the years to come.” After Washington, Alabama only has true freshmen Josh Chapman and Alfred McCullough available at defensive tackle.However, Chapman’s name recently surfaced in the ongoing probe at Hoover High School, with a report indicating that an accidental grade change allowed him to meet eligibility requirements.“First of all, I don’t think anybody should know anything at all about [his] academics,” Saban said. “That’s a violation of the kid’s rights and it’s a shame that anybody got that out. “No. 2, I’m going to talk with Josh Chapman, probably tomorrow after practice, and make a decision relative to the information that we have as to what is the prudent way for us to move forward relative to Josh Chapman. He really didn’t do anything wrong. We really didn’t do anything wrong. It’s an internal situation at their school. The thing about it is there are other options for guys to qualify that he didn’t have the opportunity to take advantage of because of somebody’s error.”Motley had already been named the starter, despite being limited by a cast on his right hand. The converted offensive lineman switched to defense during the spring, when Washington was recovering from a pectoral injury.The position was also thinned by Byron Walton giving up football for health reasons and true freshman Nick Gentry having surgery to repair a shoulder injury from high school. Gentry has started practicing but still sports a black jersey signifying no contact.“This guy’s had some bad luck to have two fractures in 10 days, or whatever,” Saban said about Motley.

Getting into a groove

While discussing how important if was for the team to get into a routine, Saban explained what the team concentrates on each day of the week.Sunday: Off.Monday: Shells, special teams, some 7-on-7 and team drills. Tuesday: Pads, first downs, second-and-long, goal-line and short-yardage situations.Wednesday: Red zones, third downs and review previous days. Thursday: 2-minute drills and 2-point conversions.Friday: Final walkthrough. Saturday: Game day.

Tide-bits

Saban praised the efforts of the scout team, which has simulated Western Carolina’s no-huddle offense.“It takes the players out of their routine when you do a no-huddle offense,” he said, “Once you get used to it, it’s no problem at all.”Senior kicker Jamie Christensen (groin) and sophomore tackle Cody Davis (shoulder) remained sidelined, making it unlikely either will play Saturday.School officials announced that Western Carolina returned some of its ticket allotment, which will be available exclusively online at www.rolltide.com beginning at 8 this morning. Cost per ticket is $40.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.

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